Originally published October 2018
With the increased desire to cut down on energy costs and make homes more energy efficient, many homeowners are increasingly looking toward spray foam insulation. When it's applied properly, it can provide many benefits including using less energy and keeping allergens and moisture out of your home. However, if applied poorly, it could trap moisture in your home as well as allow termite damage or the presence of live termites to go undetected.
What is spray foam insulation?
Spray foam insulation, known as spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is an alternative to traditional insulation products such as fiberglass and cellulose. SPF is composed of isocyanate and polyol resin and forms an expanding foam that can be applied into wall cavities, on concrete slabs and roof tiles. Some companies are even installing it into crawl spaces.
Why do I need to check with my pest control company before installing spray foam insulation?
A vital piece of any pest management program is completing a thorough inspection of the structure. If pest management professionals cannot see the structure where termites are likely to be present, termite damage or current termite activity could go unnoticed, posing a threat to your home.
Recently, the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Division and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black issued a warning to homeowners to review their pest control contracts before opting to use spray foam insulation in their crawl space.
"Spray foam insulation is a growing choice for homeowners looking to improve the energy efficiency of their home," Commissioner Black said. "And when applied properly, can provide many energy benefits, but it is imperative for homeowners to check their pest control contracts to ensure they are thoroughly covered."
The Department of Agriculture stated that homeowners who are having spray foam insulation installed in their home should require the contractor to follow Georgia building code standards.
Under Cingo's termite protection plans, your warranty is still valid as long as there is an inspection window present. An inspection window is an exposed area of at least 8 inches in width around the entire interior foundation wall. If you are unsure if your home meets this qualification, we will gladly come out and make an assessment for you.
If you need to schedule an inspection to make sure there is an inspection window present, contact us here.
About Cingo: The name Cingo means to surround and secure, conveying the company's commitment to home protection. The company has been protecting families in the Southeast since 1974. It provides home protection services throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston, Douglas, Dublin, Milledgeville, Savannah, Vidalia, Waycross and all points in between. Cingo was named a Best Place to Work in Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine and listed as a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Learn more at www.cingohome.com.